There was something special about being back in Oldtown. The great streets of cobblestone were filled with merchants selling fruits, flowers, wares, delicacies from the free cities and who knows what else. Maybe he was biased but the city smelt better than any Tyroshi sweetwater. After living in the shithole that is king's landing for six months, It felt as if I was in paradise again. A paradise that I was someday meant to inherit but I did not like to think about that.

He had gone as a squire with his uncle to king's landing, they were meant to just participate in the tourney held for Prince Tommen's Name day but his uncle, being a great "appreciator" of tourneys and feasts decided to participate in the next tourney too. For that we had to wait for 3 more months, the next tourney happened to be held for the name day of Princess Myrcella.

The jousts and the melees and the feasts certainly provided enough entertainment but he was glad to be back home.

Newcomers and tourists used the Hightower as a way to orient themselves but we didn't, having lived almost all of our lives here. Even still, I gazed at the 800 feet tall monolithic structure, taking pride in a wonder older than the first men themselves. I wondered if I'll lose this feeling of wonder looking at it when I got to my grandfather's age but the fact that grandfather seemed to love the tower more than life itself, hinted at the negative.

Before we could reach the base, I saw my family.

Little Allie's jumps were visible from afar. Having missed my little sister and her giggles for six months, I couldn't wait any longer and increased the pace of my horse and reached them a little ahead of the rest of our party.

Quickly dismounting and ignoring my Uncle's shouts of "ED", I walked up to her and lifted Allie up in the air. Her giggles and squeals were delightful to hear after a long and monotonous journey. I tickled her nose and cheeks and that got her to pout.

Wonderful.

"Eddie! Eddie! put me down" she said and I obliged. She looked as if she wanted to ask something so I kneeled down while making sure my cloak didn't touch dirt. "Allie, How have you been?" I asked her. "I am great. Did you know that Uncle Eustace got mother an Emerald necklace" She said while pointing towards mother who I smiled at. "Did he?". She nodded and then asked with big eyes, "Did you get something for me?" Before I could respond, mother said "Allie he's just got home, let him greet us and after he has had supper you can have him all for yourself".

Patting Allie on the head, I walked forward and hugged mother and said "It's lovely to see you mother". She didn't respond and just continued to hug me for some seconds longer and when it felt like she wasn't going to move I nudged her, that got her to come back from wherever she was and she stepped back. Then she smiled her brilliant smile and said, "It's lovely to have you back Edmund".

I smiled and greeted my younger brothers who seemed to be put out for being ignored till now. I walked forward and embraced them, which they seemed to like but the subsequent hair ruffling not so much, if I was going by their "not pouts". I chuckled and whispered so only the two of them could hear "I got them". It took them a second or two to understand but their faces soon showed their delight. That got them to thank me profusely(Whisperingly of course, we didn't want our lady mother's wrath after all).

Uncle and the rest of the party had reached us by then and he was in conversation with mother while holding Allie in his arms. Getting behind Uncle silently I covered Allie's eyes with my hands and asked in mummery of an older man's voice "Guess who?". That didn't fool her obviously by the shouts of "Eddie". She tried to wiggle out of Uncle's arms so I took her from his arms into mine.

Mother and Uncle seemed to be talking about something serious, going by their expressions. So, I listened in. Uncle was whispering "...should've just decreed them to divide it equally, instead of not being here for his son's arrival." Quickly catching on to what the point of contention was I said "It's okay uncle, Someone has to hold court."

He responded with "Garth could've".

"Yes he could've but you know how dutiful father is. I'll just meet him after he has concluded the matter" I responded. Before uncle could respond, mother ordered me and the twins inside for supper. (Which I could guess was probably a little feast she had organized for my return. No one was blessed with a more loving mother than I)

I was right. It was a feast and it wasn't "little". After greeting my other two Uncles(Garth and Gunthor) and Aunt Leyla(who seemed to live here more than she did with her husband), I dove in. The honey cake was delightful. While I was conversing with Aunt Leyla about the "wonders" of living in King's landing, my lord father walked in. Quickly wiping my hands with a napkin I stood up and bowed "Father". "Edmund" was his rather unoriginal response. We stayed gazing upon each other for a moment then he embraced me and said "How have you been son?". After assuring him of my wellbeing I convinced him to join me while I finished my meal.

"So grandfather is still holed up there with aunt Malora?" I asked my father in between bites. He sighed and said "Yes, I do not know why he has decided to live like a hermit in his own home. My attempts to convince him to come down work as much as they work for Lady Rhea". "They don't work at all you mean" I said while cutting a loaf of Barley Bread. His silence was an appropriate response I thought.

Grandfather's insistence to stay holed up at the top with aunt Malora had gotten so old that most of my aunts and uncles had even stopped trying to convince him. Only Lady Florent and father still tried. So did Aunt Alyssane but she was with her Lord husband in Castle Ambrose most of the time. It was strange really to be so obsessed with tomes on glasses but I didn't say that openly. It wasn't the right place or time I thought.

After greeting Lady Rhea and the rest of my cousins I made my way up to our family quarters on the 7th floor with the help of our ingenious lift said to have been designed by my ancestor Lymond Hightower (The Sea Lion). My quarters were clean and fresh as expected. After changing into my nightclothes, I hopped onto my bed. Closing my eyes, I prayed.

To the mother for the health of my family.

To the father for just treatment of our subjects.

To the Warrior for courage to do the right thing.

To the smith to mend what is broken.

To the maiden to protect my sister's innocence.

To the crone for wisdom.

To the Stranger for things unknown yet.

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(Note: This is my first fan-fiction, so I'll be very happy if you can review and help me improve)